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Crane-Assisted Tree Removal in Savannah

Last reviewed October 18, 2026 · General information, not legal advice · Sources at the bottom

In short: a crane is used when a large tree can't be safely climbed or dropped, for example a big oak leaning over a roof, a dead tree too brittle to climb, or a backyard tree with no room to lower pieces. Angi's national data says a crane can add roughly $500 to a large removal.1

When a crane makes sense

  • The tree is directly over the house, a pool or another structure with no clear drop zone.
  • The tree is dead, decayed or storm-damaged and unsafe to climb.
  • The tree has fallen onto a structure and needs to be lifted off in controlled sections.
  • Access is so limited that hand-lowering would take days.

Safety questions to ask

  • Power lines: Georgia's High-Voltage Safety Act requires notifying 811 (or 1-800-282-7411) before working near lines carrying more than 750 volts.2 Ask the company who handles the notice and any coordination with Georgia Power.
  • Crane operator: ask who operates the crane, whether it's the tree company's own or subcontracted, and whether the operator is certified.
  • Setup: where will the crane sit, will it block the street, and will it damage the driveway or lawn? Ask whether the street needs a city permit and who obtains it.
  • Insurance: get certificates for both the tree company and any crane subcontractor.

Costs (national data)

Angi's 2026 data puts trees over 80 feet at $1,000–$2,000 and says cranes can add roughly $500.1 Thumbtack lists large trees with 24–36 inch trunks at roughly $976–$4,117 nationally.3 Crane jobs often price by the half-day or day, so ask how the quote is structured.

Permits

Permit quick check. Rules depend on which government your address is in, not your mailing city. In the City of Savannah, lots with an existing single-family home or duplex are exempt from the City's tree permit rules, but street trees on the public right-of-way need written City approval.4 Tybee Island and Garden City require a permit to remove a tree.5,6 Richmond Hill protects trees 16 inches in diameter and larger, and Pooler gives special protection to trees 24 inches and larger and to live oaks 18 inches and larger.7,8 See our tree removal permit guide and areas page for your jurisdiction.

  • Get it in writing. Ask for a written quote that says what's included: cutting, hauling, cleanup, stump grinding and who pulls any permit.
  • Check insurance yourself. Ask for a current certificate of insurance (general liability and workers' compensation) and call the insurer to confirm it's active. Garden City requires tree removal contractors to be licensed, bonded and insured,6 and Thunderbolt's ordinance sets minimum insurance for contractors.9
  • Verify credentials. If someone says they're an ISA Certified Arborist, check the ISA credential lookup.10
  • Get more than one quote for non-emergency work, and be cautious of anyone asking for full payment before work starts.

Want a local company to quote your crane-assisted tree removal? Tell us what you need and we'll pass your request along to an independent tree company serving your area, when one is available. It's free for homeowners, and responses aren't guaranteed. We're a referral service, not a tree contractor.

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Areas: Historic District, Midtown, Ardsley Park, Southside, Isle of Hope, Skidaway Island, Wilmington Island, Whitemarsh Island, Tybee Island, Thunderbolt, Georgetown, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Port Wentworth, Garden City.

Frequently asked questions

When do you need a crane to remove a tree?

When a tree can't be safely climbed or dropped, typically a large tree over a house or lines, a dead or storm-damaged tree that's unsafe to climb, or a tree with no room to lower sections.

How much does a crane add to tree removal?

Angi's 2026 national data says a crane can add roughly $500 for very large trees. Crane jobs are often priced by the half-day or day.1

Who has to call 811 before tree work near power lines?

Georgia's High-Voltage Safety Act requires notice through 811 (or 1-800-282-7411) before work near lines over 750 volts.2 Ask your tree company to confirm who will do it.

Get matched with a local tree company

Free for homeowners. We're a referral service, not a tree company. Prefer to talk? Call (843) 608-8793. If there is immediate danger or a downed power line, call 911 first.

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Sources

  1. Angi, How much does tree removal cost? (2026 national data). www.angi.com
  2. Georgia Power, Power line safety. www.georgiapower.com
  3. Thumbtack, Cost to remove a tree (national data). www.thumbtack.com
  4. City of Savannah, Landscape and Tree Protection Ordinance (approved March 16, 2017, PDF). www.savannahga.gov
  5. City of Tybee Island FAQ: tree removal permits. www.cityoftybee.org
  6. Garden City zoning code Ch. 90 Art. VIII, text copy (Zoneomics). www.zoneomics.com
  7. City of Richmond Hill Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 15.6 Tree Protection (PDF). www.richmondhill-ga.gov
  8. City of Pooler Code, Ch. 42 Art. VI, Sec. 42-198 significant trees (PDF). mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us
  9. Town of Thunderbolt Code Sec. 5-329, tree ordinance (copy hosted by the Savannah Tree Foundation, PDF). www.savannahtree.org
  10. ISA (TreesAreGood.org), Verify an arborist credential. www.treesaregood.org